And Now, The Complete Changes And Updates To The 2017 Buick Encore

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The refreshed 2017 Buick Encore was unveiled at the end 2016 New York International Auto Show in late March. We already knew about the styling and feature-level changes to the vehicle, but we didn’t know everything that is getting updated and changed… until now.

To start, the 2017 Encore will be available in five models, each of which is available in either FWD or AWD:

2017 Buick Encore Models & Trim Levels

Drive Wheels

Trim Level

Model Code

FWD

Encore 1SB (base)

4JU76

AWD

Encore 1SB (base)

4JM76

FWD

Sport Touring 1SH

4JU76

AWD

Sport Touring 1SH

4JM76

FWD

Convenience 1SD

4JU76

AWD

Convenience 1SD

4JM76

FWD

Leather 1SL

4JV76

AWD

Leather 1SL

4JN76

FWD

Premium 1SN

4JV76

AWD

Premium 1SN

4JN76

The 2017 Buick Encore also loses replaces three exterior colors with three new ones, all of which are premium colors and carry an additional charge:

Deleted Colors

Carbon Black Metallic

White Pearl Tricoat

Rosewood Metallic

New Colors

Ebony Twilight Metallic

White Frost Metallic

Black Cherry Metallic (late availability)

Rounding out the changes to the exterior of the 2017 Encore is the replacement of the set of 18-inch 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels with a new 18-inch aluminum set.

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21 Comments

I like the updated looks but you forgot one of the changes for 2017. The stereo no longer includes a CD player because it was deleted in the update. This is a Buick not a frickin Chevy, you should at least still get that.

I really wish Chevrolet’s Trax looked this cool. Buick is on such a roll with their designs and sweet interiors. They’ve nailed the athletic/sporty/mature yet simple look. Chevrolet had that back in the 50’s/60’s when they were sporty and yet so classy! I’m just not a Buick guy. I can’t really say I’m big on current Chevrolet’s though either. Either way, hats off to Buick. Hopefully the new GM designer will get Chevrolet back to it’s former glory too and not just for the Corvette. Their cars, crossovers, and trucks are equally important. Because modern Buick’s and GMC pick ups especially are just wow… They both took it through the roof like Ford has done the last decade.

It’s almost to the point that I question the need for Chevrolet anymore aside from the Corvette and Camaro. You could almost include Cadillac with that. GM’s GMC seems to have the trucks and suvs nailed and Buick has the cars and crossovers nailed.

I do agree that the best of GM can be found at Buick GMC dealers in terms of styling and reliability. I’ve often thought that Buick\Opel design should be The General’s baseline–Trax is actually enbarasing! I do think, however, that the new Chevrolet products (Malibu, Cruze, Volt) are fantastic, and that Chevy is back on track.
Encore is beautiful and GM needs to make peace with owning two luxury marques given that “premium” is a dead zone that can be matched by high trim Honda, Ford, and Kia models. The current GM segments hold both Chevy and Buick back.

What most amuses me about this car is its an redone PONTIAC VIBE which I use to own which in itself was a very reliable car. Look at the 2003 Vibe skin in terms of looks and these new versions. As you recall the VIBE was made on the same Line as the Toyota MATRIX as a joint venture which is now the Tesla factory. And now it seems the BOLT is taking on the same look.

I don’t see a similarity between the two vehicles (Encore and Vive) whatsoever.

The two are built on entirely different platforms, and share little in the form of styling. And though the two were built “on the same line”, the Vibe was a rebadged Toyota Matrix, a vehicle developed and designed entirely by Toyota. The new Chevy Cruze hatch is a more direct competitor to the Matrix, and I would argue a better car, too.

The updates seem to make the Encore look more modern and better put together as far as the styling goes . Glad to see the portholes gone , looks cleaner without them .
Am I missing something here , no Sirius XM radio !?! That’s a disappointment , and what type of key is there now that the switchblade key is deleted ?

Redline – the XM doesn’t show up on the change list since it’s not changed, but rather carried over. But yes, it’s on the vehicle and in the order guide, which you can access at the bottom of the article.

Like everything I saw, but will it be able to tow anything? The older model Encore/Trax offered much in the way of sport, but nothing in the way of utility. This mini-wagon/tall car needs one thing for Buick to cinch the deal to sell my wife an I two of them … offer a tow rating of just 1,200 to 1,500 pounds. I need this from time to time when the riding mower needs to be taken in for service. The rest of the time a 1 /4″ hitch hauler for the wife’s wheel chair carrier. So how about GM, offer up a bit of utility to go along with the sport.

I currently drive a 2015 Premium trim Encore… I like a lot of the new changes and looks for the upcoming model, but… for a Buick, I don’t think it goes quite enough! Some lower class Chevy models are better equipped with a few things. The two biggest upsets with me is the (1) cheap dual analog HVAC controls, that it isn’t digital and there is no ‘dual’ switch for single control and (2) how the power windows still has a express up and down for the driver and only an express down for the passenger and manual in the rear seats. For what is involved, why not simply have express up and down on all windows? Its a Buick not Chevy after all! Ya have to have a few extra perks… Also I thought that there could be just a bit more safety technology included such as autonomous braking for example… just my negative thought, but not sure that I would upgrade to this new model.

I just bought one of these 2017 Buick Encores and the Sirius doesn’t work on the radio. The dealership (Vyletel Buick, Sterling Heights, MI) said they would replace the radio but can’t find one in the GM supply channel. They have no idea when they will be able to locate a radio. This situation is really annoying since all I have listen to for the last 10 years is Sirius radio. Can anyone shed some light on this issue and advise the dealership where and when they can gain access to a radio.